Michael Martell
Because of You (They Run Through the Fire)
Medium
Raku clay, 2021
aRtist’s statement
The “mask project” began as a personal art therapy project. While working in the studio in the early weeks of the pandemic and being sequestered in the studio while making our production ware, the heaviness of the global situation began to distract from the usual focused tasks and creativity of making our functional and decorative pottery. As I was feeling overwhelmed, I started taking short breaks and using some scrap clay began to form a mask. The masks were quickly becoming a symbol representing a tool for battling the virus as well as a divisive image of political loyalty. As the days and weeks past, I would often break away from my studio routine and take the time to form a mask while thinking about our current dilemma and its effect on the care- givers and patients.
As the making continued, I began to see that this collection of masks was becoming the “face” of the virus. At first, the virus was invisible but this collection of masks began to take on a visual form that I could direct my feelings. Individual- ly, I would think of a caregiver and the person’s story behind each mask and projecting empathy into each mask while forming the clay. Collectively, the project was taking on a larger representation than just individuals, it had a common humanity. Each mask has a story and is reflected in the raku firing process used to finish each one. All have been “tested in fire” and the result is a beautiful, yet gritty and haunting finish.
The clay has been pushed to an extreme temperature just as caregivers themselves have been challenged. ”Because of You” pays homage to all those that have cared for the many sick and dying. However, the title is something I blurted our to myself while making one of the masks. Out of anger towards the pandemic, the pieces became the focus of all that I was feeling. “Because of you so many have lost their lives and their love ones have suffered. Because of you, many have lost jobs and a place to live. Because of you, lives have been upended and changed forever” Having the opportunity to work with my hands through all of this, I am forever grateful and thankful for the experience of the heal- ing power of making.